FEATURE/Avoid Marriage Proposal Disasters on Valentine's Day; Perry Ellis Portfolio Shirts, Pants with Nano-Tex Keep Guys Confident, Cool

Business Wire, Jan 20, 2004

Feature Editors

FEATURE...

GREENSBORO, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 20, 2004

As the number of marriage proposals spikes on Valentine's Day, so does the nervous energy of men popping the question. One wrong move, and he's got a red wine stain the size of South America on his shirt. As the stain sets in, he starts fanning himself with the menu, trying to keep his cool.

Marriage proposal expert Paul Alden, president of Will You Marry Me? Proposal Planners(R), says men will feel more confident in dress wear with a little something extra to make sure they won't look like a Messy Marvin on Valentine's Day.

Perry Ellis(R) has introduced the Perry Ellis Portfolio(R) line of dress wear for men with pants and shirts enhanced with NANO-TEX(TM) treatments, giving them superior spill and stain resistance with maximum softness and breathability.

Alden offers the top five reasons men should consider wearing Perry Ellis Portfolio(R) pants and shirts with Nano-Tex during a Valentine's Day proposal:

    1. Be her knight in shining armor by putting on protective yet
       soft and breathable clothing before rescuing her from
       singledom.

    2. When you drop to one knee, you don't have to worry what's
       beneath you.

    3. The breathability of your clothes won't give away how truly
       nervous you are when telling her family of your intentions.

    4. When you "pop the cork" on the champagne after popping the
       question, you don't have to worry if you spill.

    5. Who could possibly say "No" to a sharp-dressed man who knows
       how to feel great and look great even when the pressure is on?

Alden is involved in planning some 300 marriage proposals between now and Valentine's Day.

The Perry Ellis Portfolio(R) line consists of 100% polyester pants with NANO-PEL(R) and 100% cotton dress shirts with NANO-CARE(R). NANO-PEL makes synthetic fabrics repel liquids and resist stains. NANO-CARE causes liquids and oils to bead quickly and roll off cotton clothing without penetrating the fibers.

Perry Ellis Portfolio(R) pants and dress shirts with Nano-Tex are available at major retailers, including Robinsons May, Meier & Frank, Famous Barr, Hecht's, Kaufmann's, Foleys, Strawbridge, Rich's and Filene's. In addition, the pants are available at Burdines, Bon Marche, Boscov's, Parisians, Proffits and Marshall Field's. Suggested retail pricing is as follows: pants -- $65, dress shirts -- $39.50.

About Nano-Tex

Nano-Tex, LLC, headquartered in Emeryville with regional offices in Greensboro, Milan, Istanbul, New Delhi, Hong Kong and Osaka. Nano-Tex develops and licenses a family of nanotechnology-based textile treatments that dramatically improve the performance of everyday fabrics. To date, the company has licensed its technology to 40 textile mills worldwide and signed agreements with more than 25 leading apparel and interior furnishings brands, including Levi, Gap, Old Navy, Lee, Nike, Champion, Marks & Spencer and Simmons. Products enhanced with Nano-Tex are sold throughout North America and in select locations in the United Kingdom. www.nano-tex.com

Safe Harbor Statement

Forward-looking statements (statements which are not historical facts) in this release are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The actual results of Perry Ellis could differ materially from those expressed or indicated by forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including those risks and uncertainties detailed in the Perry Ellis' filings with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements speak only as of the day hereof and Perry Ellis disclaims any intent or obligation to update the same.